BIZARRO by Adam Gorham

Bizarro

After a long hiatus, we return with Bizarro. He's a character I've liked but haven't completely understood. Anyhow, here he's flying over his cubed Bizarro World in a pose similar to that iconic Superman image that's been paid homage to time and again.

This piece was done in ink and wash n 9" x 12" strathmore and is for sale here.

GALACTUS by Adam Gorham

Slurrrp!

Galactus has always been a character I've struggled to take seriously. I like the idea of Galactus and appreciate the threat he represents to a world on his dinner menu, but the logistics of his modus operandi are to me, well, funny. Characters like Galactus--aliens, celestial beings, etc--signal mankind's tendency to imagine higher lifeforms as something like ourselves: bi-pedal, two eyes and a mouth situated on a head mounted on a torso with limbs. How would such a life form evolve in the vacuum of space?

That's why sea creatures look so alien. They've adapted to an environment so different from ours here on land that their bodies don't look or function like ours. Two arms and legs aren't very practical for surviving under water, and I imagine it would be the same in outer space.

That's why I'm inclined to look at the Ultimate version of Galactus, or even the nebulous cloud from that wretched Fantastic Four sequel, as more plausible incarnations of a being that devours entire planets for sustenance.

But this is comics, and his helmet is pimp, so who gives a shit?

GREEN GOBLIN by Adam Gorham

Pumpkin fight!

I like Green Goblin because he's green and he's a goblin and he's the best. Chicken nuggets.

Sorry for being away so long, Spitballin'. Smooch!

PARKER by Adam Gorham

I chose Parker because I like hard-boiled crime thrillers, and in the world of comics few do that better than Darwyn Cooke in his adaptations of Donald Westlake's novels. When you get right down to it, however, choosing Parker for this weeks entry was made difficult for the fact that he lacks a iconic look. He's a character largely defined by his actions and grim, pragmatic personality. To look at him though, he's just a tough looking guy in a suit, usually scowling behind coiling tendrils of cigarette smoke.

So to make this tough guy in a suit quintessentially Parker, I tried emulating Darwyn Cooke's aesthetic in his graphic novels, as well as adding some intrigue with a femme fatale.

That's the thing about Parker: he doesn't always carry a gun, but you're pretty sure he's got the upper hand. As always, you can buy the original here.

THE SHINING by Adam Gorham

Happy Halloween, kiddies!

SAILOR MOON by Adam Gorham

Fighting evil moonlight, winning love by daylight...

This may come as a shock, but truth be told I was never into Sailor Moon. So this weeks entry was something of a challenge, because apart from striking poses in front of dazzling backgrounds, I was never sure what Sailor Moon--or any of the Sailor Scouts--actually did.

But when I thought real hard, I did recall she had a wand... or a scepter. Or something. And she and the other Sailor Scouts had to collect all seven of the magic pokEballs, elsewise Tuxedo Mask would continue to turn into a giant female panda when splashed with water.

Then it was all clear. I had to draw Sailor Moon in her classic Super Saiyan pose. Voila!

Mark, ink and watercolour on 9"x12" bristol vellum. The original art is up for sale in gallery.

ROBIN by Adam Gorham

The Boy Wonder!

My Robin is up!

For once that's not a sexual euphemism.

This one is a little rough for my liking, but I'm scrambling to keep up with the outstanding work of my fellow Spitballers!

I decided to go with Dick Grayson's classic look, with contemporary drawing style. This was done in ink pen and markers on 9"x12" bristol vellum. It'll be up for sale on my blog soon: A Princely Dreadful.

GRENDIZER by Adam Gorham

Grendizer is a character I'm largely unfamiliar with and that made this entry to Spitballin' a fun challenge. I'm not even sure he's known for shooting his fist like a torpedo, but really, what good giant robot isn't?

SWAMP THING by Adam Gorham

Spotting the Swamp Thing!

I imagined being a nature photographer taking wild life shots in some swamp and seeing this through my lens, at first not realizing what I've glimpsed past dense foliage. When the realization does come, it's accompanied by the petrifying understanding that he sees me too.

This piece done in marker on 9" x 12" bristol vellum and is on sale at my gallery.

THING by Adam Gorham

 

I rarely get to draw Ben Grimm. What I wanted to avoid was making him a series of round, rocky lumps, which is easy to do with the Thing. Maybe that takes away from his character. You be the judge. Either way, this was fun!

NIGHTCRAWLER by Adam Gorham

BAMF!

In my continued effort to catch up on weeks past, I present Nightcrawler from The Uncanny X-Force.

ADAM STRANGE by Adam Gorham

After a long hiatus I've returned to Spitballin' a sketch of Adam Strange, a character I was very much looking forward to drawing. In fact, when I was asked over the convention weekend which DC character I would most like to draw, Strange cam as a close second (my first always being Batman.)

Markers and inks, boys and girls. Enjoy!

AQUAMAN by Adam Gorham

I like to think that Aquaman knows where all the treasure is at.

GODZILLA by Adam Gorham

 

I had a couple drafts for big G-Zilla before going with this. I tried making him more lizard/iguana while trying not to look too much like a dinosaur or the American version.

That's the thing about Godzilla's design, it's so iconic and unmistakable. You can't say that for most other creatures in modern cinema. The last straight-up monster movie I can recall was Cloverfield, and I bet you a million dollars you can't picture that thing when you close your eyes. Great creature designs can be reduced to a gesture or silhouette and still be recognizable.

I've always felt from a realistic standpoint that Godzilla as a creature was impractical. But then, who cares? So I went a bit leaner and lankier. Maybe I'll throw the rough drafts up on my blog, A Princely Dreadful. For now, enjoy this!

LONE WOLF & CUB by Adam Gorham

My rendition of Lone Wolf & Cub, just in time for Father's Day. Well, okay, I'm a bit early.

If you like what you see here, you're welcome to see my process over at A Princely Dreadful.

OBI-WAN KENOBI by Adam Gorham

Greetings regular readers and fellow Spitballers! For anyone unfamiliar with me or my work, I'm Adam Gorham, another scrappy indie comic artist. If you enjoy my work here, you may want to check out my blog, A Princely Dreadful.

This is my first contribution to the group and I'm quite excited about it. I'm very pleased and honoured the collective talent from the group would have me as their own. I've been following the blog since Ty Templeton urged me to do so several months back. I've enjoyed the level of skill and variety of content Spitballin' Comics presents, so to be brought aboard is nothing short of a thrill.

As for my sketch today, I went with a young (and sexy) Obi-Wan because Ewan McGregor is a dreamboat. Enjoy!